The Legend of Zhen Huan Reborn: Overthrowing Zhen Huan to Become the Queen Mother

Sometimes people's personalities are very strange, just like Fucha Guiren, who is usually quiet but becomes smart at critical moments.

In late April, it was announced that Noble Lady Fucha was nearly two months pregnant.

During this period, An Lingrong was the most popular and rose to become Concubine Qian. Even Concubine Hua and Jiang Ruyin had to avoid her; Concubine Qiu was neglected; Concubine Borjigit was summoned several times and entered the public eye.

After Noble Lady Fucha became pregnant, she was awarded the title "Cheng" at the request of the Empress, which is thought-provoking. Noble Lady Cheng was initially skeptical, but after the Emperor saw her a few times, she cast her doubts aside, repeatedly intercepting the favor of others.

Jiang Ruyin couldn't help but sigh: "I can endure it for two months, but I can't endure this period of time?"

On another occasion, Concubine Cheng again asked the emperor to leave Concubine Borjigit's place on the grounds of feeling unwell. The emperor called the imperial physician, who learned that Concubine Cheng was just overfed. Concubine Cheng stayed overnight at the place of Concubine Qiu, who had fallen out of favor, with a sullen face. That night, amid the laughter and joy in the east wing hall, Concubine Cheng was so angry that she tore countless handkerchiefs.

On the twelfth day of the fifth lunar month, the Empress pleaded for the release of Concubine Shen and Concubine Wan. Lou Yong'er, a former palace maid, seemed to be ignored by everyone.

On the 20th day of the fifth lunar month, before the beginning of the Lesser Heat, the Empress took Concubine Hua, Concubine Duan, Concubine Qi, Concubine Jing, Concubine Fang, Noble Lady Xin, Noble Lady Wen, Noble Lady Borjigit, Noble Lady Shen, Concubine Qian, and Concubine Wan to the Old Summer Palace to escape the summer heat.

Lady Cheng was left behind in the name of allowing her to rest and take care of her pregnancy, to keep company with the fifteen-year-old Concubine Chun.

I wonder what the situation is like in the Yanxi Palace.

There was a long queue of carriages and horses at Fengxian Gate.

This was the first time that An Lingrong saw Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan after they were released from confinement. Previously, she was always turned down whether to go to Xianfu Palace or Shou'an Palace.

Shen Meizhuang's face was gloomy, and even with makeup she couldn't hide her haggard look.

Zhen Huan was so thin that she looked unrecognizable, with a waist so thin that it could not be held in one hand, and she looked exactly like a sick Xi Shi.

"Sister Mei, Sister Wan." An Lingrong came over and called out.

When the two of them saw An Lingrong in her pretty pink dress, Shen Meizhuang's expression darkened for a moment, and she forced a smile and said, "Sister Qian."

Zhen Huan looked at An Lingrong and said jokingly, "Lingrong has become more and more beautiful. The emperor will definitely like her."

Shen Meizhuang frowned when she heard this, but didn't say anything.

Baozhi felt a surge of disgust. An Lingrong lowered her brows and said gently, "The Emperor's preferences are not something we can guess."

Zhen Huan paused awkwardly. An Lingrong asked, "Would you two sisters like to sit together? Lingrong had wanted to invite you two to join her."

They glanced at the sedan chair in front of them. It was carved from nanmu wood with a magpie-ascending pattern, and its sides were draped with aqua-red gauze. And theirs? It was a simple mahogany sedan, so old it was hard to tell at first glance. Some smug steward had arranged the seats, but Concubine Qian's sedan chair was third from the bottom, while Shen Meizhuang was relegated to the last place, with Zhen Huan somewhere between them.

It was precisely because of this that Zhen Huan invited Shen Meizhuang to ride along.

Shen Meizhuang shook her head and made an excuse, "The sun is shining brightly, and we are here to escape the heat. Two people is fine, but if there were three, wouldn't these eunuchs be exhausted?"

An Lingrong probably also saw that the two wanted to be alone, so she said no more, "Well, if you two sisters need anything, you can send someone to find me."

Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang entered the sedan chair hand in hand. A musty smell hit them in the face. They both covered their mouths and noses with handkerchiefs. Cai Yue said worriedly, "How can we sit in this? We will be covered in musty smell!" She muttered in a low voice, "Those people in the Imperial Household Department are really just there to eat for nothing..."

Shen Meizhuang stopped her and said, "Okay, Caiyue."

As she spoke, Shen Meizhuang got into the sedan chair, reached out to push open the window and then propped it up with the small wooden stick underneath, and then she sat on the old cushion.

"Sister Mei..." Zhen Huan called out in pain. Sister Mei came from a prominent family and was the apple of her parents' eyes since birth. How could she have done these things with her own hands?

Meeting Zhen Huan's gaze, Shen Meizhuang smiled calmly, "I've been idle these past few months, so I can't always ask Caiyue and the others to do everything. Otherwise, I'll be exhausted."

Zhen Huan's eyes turned red, "Sister Mei, if it weren't for me..."

Shen Meizhuang pulled Zhen Huan over and rubbed her cheek with her fingers. "I agreed to it myself, how can I blame you? Lingrong...that's all, it's her fate." Shen Meizhuang gathered her wandering thoughts and asked, "You don't know, the Empress didn't ask us anything at the time. She just used threats and inducements to explain the interests to us, as if she was sure it was you who did it. You are also stupid. Why did you take the blame for this on behalf of Lou Ying? If there was any mistake, the lives of the whole family would be in danger!"

Zhen Huan sighed, "Lou promised her that he would save my sister's life, and he really thought about us in every way. After all, my father has an official position. The Emperor... I can feel that the Emperor is sincere towards me. If it were her, I'm afraid she would really lose her life."

When Zhen Huan mentioned her father's official position, Shen Meizhuang could no longer control her emotions and sobbed with her hands covering her mouth.

Zhen Huan was surprised, "Sister Mei, what did I say wrong? Please don't blame me for telling me what happened first."

Shen Meizhuang took a deep breath and controlled her emotions. "After I was confined to my house, although the Emperor didn't punish my mother's family, my father's political enemies seized on this and impeached my father for not teaching me properly. He was demoted to a fourth-rank envoy." As she spoke, she choked up again. "I entered the palace with all my heart, but failed to bring honor to my mother's family. Instead, I brought trouble to my father. I really, wow..."

Speaking of this, Zhen Huan was also not feeling well, especially since she was resented by her own sister, so she had to make up for it elsewhere:

"Sister is so demure and beautiful, there's no one in the harem who can match her. Besides, Lingrong was punished, but she was released safely by the Emperor himself. It seems Sister just lacks an opportunity."

Shen Meizhuang also felt that what Zhen Huan said made sense, but she couldn't control her emotions for the moment and wiped away her tears.

In summer, it always gets dark early and stays dark late. The large group of people set out early in the morning and did not arrive at the Old Summer Palace until the afternoon.

The little girl beside the emperor sang loudly as she was assigned her residence:

"The Empress lived in Taohuawu, Concubine Hua lived in Qingliang Palace, Concubine Duan lived in Shunfang Academy, Concubine Qi lived in Ritianlinyu, Concubine Jing lived in Yuanxilechu, Concubine Fang lived in Ruguhanjin, Concubine Xin lived in Yingshuilanxiang, Concubine Borjigit lived in Xinghuachun Pavilion, Concubine Wen lived in Wulingchunse, Concubine Shen lived in Siyi Study, Concubine Wan lived in Changchunxian Pavilion, and Concubine Qian lived in Shangaoshuichang.